BUJU

The first Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album was handed out in 1985 and went to roots-reggae trio Black Uhuru for the Sly and Robbie-produced Anthem. There have been multiple Marley winners, surprise victors and omissions.

Last week, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) announced the 2010 nominees. They are Awake by Julian Marley, Mind Control (acoustic version) by Stephen Marley, Rasta Got Soul by Buju Banton, Imperial Blaze from Sean Paul and Gregory Isaacs' Brand New Me.

The winner will be announced January 31 during the Grammy ceremony at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

Here is a look back at a category that held great expectations but has been relegated to wooden spoon status.

Most nominations

Burning Spear (12)

Steel Pulse (seven)

Jimmy Cliff (six)

Black Uhuru (six)

Inaugural nominees

Black Uhuru (Anthem)

Jimmy Cliff (Reggae Night)

Peter Tosh (Captured Live)

Steel Pulse (Steppin' Out)

Yellowman (King Yellowman)

Most mediocre year (1997)

Bunny Wailer (Hall of Fame - A Tribute To Bob Marley's 50th Anniversary)

Gregory Isaacs (Mr Cool)

Maxi Priest (Man With The Fun)

Sister Carol (Lyrically Potent)

The Skatalites (Greetings From Skamania)

Most bizarre winner

Lee 'Scratch' Perry (Jamaican E T, 2003)

No-surprise winners

Black Uhuru (Anthem)

Shabba Ranks (As Raw As Ever, 1992)

Shabba Ranks (X-tra Naked, 1993)

Inner Circle (Bad Boys, 1994)

Shaggy (Boombastic, 1996)

Beenie Man (Art And Life, 2001)

Damian Marley (Halfwaytree, 2002)

Sean Paul (Dutty Rock, 2004)

Damian Marley (Welcome To Jamrock, 2006)

Upset winner

Sly and Robbie (Friends,1999; beat Beenie Man's Many Moods Of Moses)

Best album never nominated

Buju Banton (Til Shiloh)

Winners 30 years old or younger

No member of Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers was 25 when they first won in 1989 for Conscious Party.

Shabba Ranks (won at 26 and 27)

Shaggy was 27 years old when he won for Boombastic.

Damian Marley (won at 23 and 27)

Oldest winners

Lee 'Scratch' Perry was 66

Burning Spear (63 when he won for Jah Is Real in 2009).

Stephen (left) and Julian Marley

Sean Paul

Gregory Isaacs